NetApp and Cisco unveil FlexPod partner scheme

Resellers skilled up on vendor duo's infrastructure to be given support and certification

Cisco and NetApp are launching a joint partner programme to certify resellers focused on the vendors' FlexPod infrastructure and drive channel sales.

The vendor pair today unveiled the FlexPod Premium Partner Network, which will allow resellers to benefit from marketing and lead generation support and specially designed branding. Channel post-sales engineers can also use a dedicated helpdesk and VARs will be given training plans and priority access to demo lab facilities.

Some 22 partners – comprising seven in north America and 15 in Europe – have initially qualified for the programme. Peter Howard, NetApp's senior director of datacentre alliances, claimed that the channel plays "a critical, consultative role" in allowing end users to get the most out of FlexPod technology.

"The FlexPod Premium Partner Framework reflects Cisco's and NetApp's commitment to recognising partners who have achieved the highest levels of sales, technical, and professional services capability," he added.

FlexPod, which was debuted in 2010, is a datacentre stack built around Cisco networking, NetApp storage and VMware virtualisation technologies.

Brian Allison, director of datacentre go-to-market solutions at Cisco, said: "Cisco and NetApp have heard from many of our joint channel partners that they want us to reduce complexity and streamline multi-vendor interactions, all while continuing to drive profitability."